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Vinyl buying guide
In this guide, I will be sharing my tips for choosing your perfect vinyl and recommended products.
Written by: Jack Odgen
10th October 2023
Why choose vinyl flooring?
There’s a whole host of reasons why vinyl flooring would make a great addition to your home.
Here are some of the benefits for choosing vinyl flooring:
- Practical, durable and low maintenance – perfect for high traffic areas and busy homes
- Extremely easy to clean
- Excellent value for money
- Water resistant – an ideal choice for bathrooms, kitchens and utility areas
- Resistant to scuffs and blemishes
- Available in a huge range of colours and designs to suit many interior styles
- Can be used with underfloor heating for an extra touch of luxury
- Comfortable to walk on
Making your selection
The versatility of vinyl and its many finishes means you can achieve a seamless look in any room.
However, I don’t recommend using it on stairs as it’s not as suitable as other flooring types.
There are a few things you need to consider to help you choose the best option for you and your home.
Here are a few key factors to think about when shopping for your vinyl flooring:
- Where will your flooring be laid? Vinyl is generally durable enough for any room in the home (apart from stairs), though some areas may have more foot traffic than others. In this case, you may want to look for a thicker option, which will offer extra cushioning
- Wear guarantee – many of our ranges come with wear and stain guarantees for added peace of mind. Our ranges offer guarantees up to xx years
- What sort of look are you hoping to achieve? Our vinyl ranges come in a huge variety of designs, to help you achieve the look you want in your home. Do you want a traditional wooden effect, the modern look of tiles or an eye-catching pattern? Think about the style you want to go for and whether it will go with your existing décor and how it will complement your room of choice
- What is your budget? Offering incredible value for money, vinyl is a very budget-friendly flooring option. Our sheet vinyl flooring ranges are available both in store and online, and come in a range of finishes, to suit all budgets. Some ranges also have textured finishes for the look and feel of real wood or stone, without the hefty price tag
My recommendations
There are many different types of vinyl flooring to choose from.
To help you make your decision, here are my picks of products, from high and low budget ranges, best buys and most durable options:
1. Budget
Gemstone Garnet Vinyl
Designed with anti-slip technology, the Garnet offers excellent value for money and comes with an impressive 10-year wear guarantee.
It comes in a choice of 12 designs, including contemporary art deco designs, tile effects and wooden style patterns.
Recommended for: bathrooms
Only £ 14 .99 sqm
2. Mid-range
Gemstone Zircon Vinyl
Suitable for all areas of the home, the Zircon offers a fantastic 10 year guarantee and anti-slip technology and a slightly thicker alternative to your lower-end ranges.
It comes in 12 modern and traditional designs, guaranteed to complement many interior styles.
Recommended for: small kitchens and hallways
Only £ 20 .99 sqm
3. Luxury
Gemstone Opel Vinyl
Offering an extra level of luxury, the Opel range comes in some eye-catching designs, including a popular ‘Herringbone’ style.
The Opel is a thick vinyl with anti-slip technology and a 10 year wear guarantee – perfect for larger areas and high traffic areas.
Recommended for: Larger kitchens and lounges
Only £ 23 .99 sqm
4. High-traffic areas
Rhino Montane Vinyl
A thick, hardwearing vinyl, the Rhino Montane is particularly good for areas that get a lot of foot traffic.
It has an anti-slip quality – ideal for avoiding accidents if you have children running around.
Only £ 19 .99 sqm
5. General use
Tanzanite Vinyl
A good all-rounder, the Tanzanite Vinyl range is a great choice for most areas of the home and is designed to withstand the demands of a busy household.
Only £ 17 .99 sqm
Achieving the perfect finish
Before you lay your vinyl, it’s really key to let it acclimatise to the room in which it will be laid. Do this for at least 24 hours ahead of having it fitted.
It’s also important to make sure your subfloor is in good condition and the type of subfloor you have may also impact the type of vinyl you choose.
All fitted flooring will be properly prepared before installation to ensure a smooth finish.
If you’re buying online, you can call our online sales team on 0800 731 0048 for advice on what fitting options we’d recommend for you,
otherwise, visit one of our stores, where our helpful staff will be happy to help you make the right choice for you and your home.
Written by: Jack Odgen
Flooring Specialist
at ScS Coventry
10th October 2023
Jack is the Flooring Specialist based at the Coventry ScS store. Having been part of the ScS flooring team since 2019, Jack knows everything there is to know about the flooring ranges at ScS. Jack's favourite flooring is carpet as it can make a house feel more homely, has a nice underfoot feeling and can help to keep the house a little warmer.
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